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1 month ago
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Drama unfolded in the men's Olympic individual showjumping final on Tuesday as two riders were thrown from their horses in separate incidents as they made their way around the course at the Palace of Versailles.
Swedish rider and world No 1 Henrick von Eckermann was shockingly thrown from his horse and into a sign, during his round at the event, while Mexico's Andres Azcarraga was nearly thrown into a pool of water by his horse.
BBC commentators Andy Austin and Nick Luck were left perplexed by the incident that saw Von Eckermann lose control of his horse, King Edward, as he made his way around the course.
The duo were around 35 seconds into their run and were going well when King Edward appeared to lose his balance coming down from a jump.
The horse subsequently galloped towards the side of the arena, where he stopped suddenly, throwing Von Eckermann forwards, head over heels into a piece of apparatus.
Swedish showjumper Henrick von Eckermann (pictured) was thrown from his horse on Tuesday
Mexico's Andres Azcarraga also came off his horse during the men's individual final
The rider seemed to hit the floor first with the soles of his feet before his back landed on the dusty ground and luckily, while he appeared to be jaded by the fall, he quickly rose to his feet to walk after King Edward, who had galloped off in the other direction.
The Swede, who clinched gold at Tokyo 2020 in team jumping and two gold medals in the 2022 World Championships, was eliminated following the fall.
Austin told the BBC that it was 'the most extraordinary thing' he had ever seen.
Eurosport commentator, Richard Vaughan, stated: 'I can’t believe it.
'Something was not right. He looked a bit odd yesterday, I thought they did very well to scramble around but it has all fallen apart.
'It was unravelling earlier on. They got over the big double then the water seemed OK but then after that, the horse seemed to run away.'
Mexico's Azcarraga also took a concerning tumble and narrowly avoided plunging into a pool of water situated in the middle of the showjumping arena.
A video posted on social media saw the rider narrowly hanging on for dear life to the horse's reins after falling to the ground spinning.
The rider was seen hanging onto his reins after falling off his horse just in front of a pool of water
Azcarraga (pictured) also nearly came off his horse during today's individual event
Germany's Christian Kukuk would go on to claim gold on board Checker 47 while Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme would take silver.
The Netherlands' Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z took bronze, while Team GB's Scott Brash and Ben Maher would come sixth and ninth respectively.
Earlier this morning, fellow Brit Harry Charles announced that he would not be competing in the individual jumps.
It came after the three british riders had claimed gold in the team jumps last week. But Charles' horse, Romeo 88, appeared to have sustained an injury, ruling the duo out of today's event.
Charles is also dating the daughter of the late Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, Eve, an American model, who also competes in showjumping.
Von Eckermann lost control of his horse King Edward after coming over a jump, throwing him into a sign
The rider went head over heels as King Edward slowed down suddenly right infront of the red obstacle
The horse subsequently galloped away from the obstacle, leaving the rider on the ground
Von Eckermann (pictured) luckily was not injured by the fall, with the world No 1 rising to his feet before walking off
The Swedish rider was subsequently eliminated from the event after falling from his horse
He took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to state that Romeo 88 had suffered a 'small overreach' and had opted to not compete as a precautionary measure.
'Unfortunately, me and Romeo will not start the individual final today in Paris,' he posted on his Instagram on Monday,' Charles wrote in a post on Instagram.
'After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110 per cent that he has been the whole Games.
'Maybe I am a little disappointed but, honestly, not really. He has given me so much and took me beyond my dreams. We're leaving Paris with a gold medal and, more importantly, a happy Romeo so that's way more than enough for me.
Harry Charles (centre) took gold alongside Ben Maher (left) and Scott Brash (right) in the team jumps
Harry Charles (pictured) has announced that he will not be competing in Tuesday's individual equestrian event
'Team GB have a great shot at the medals with two of the best today in Scott and Ben so we will be on the sidelines cheering them on.
'Thank you to everyone for all the support you have given me and Romeo throughout the Games and making it an experience of a lifetime.'
An overreach injury occurs where a horse's back hoof striking it's forelimb.
The edge of the hoof or shoe can make sharp contact with one of the horse's front limbs, causing wounds and lacerations that can be severe or even life threatening injuries.
Horses can often cut into their heel bulbs when running, which can typically sideline the animal for a couple of weeks.
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